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Winner of George Hedley Memorial Award revealed
“I was completely overwhelmed to hear that I had been nominated for this award – it will be a huge honour to receive it” – Fiona Lovatt.
Fiona Lovatt receives award for contribution to UK sheep industry.

Veterinary surgeon Fiona Lovatt is the recipient of this year’s National Sheep Association (NSA) George Hedley Memorial Award.

The award has been made in recognition of her contribution to the UK sheep industry and promotion of good practice principles.

Dr Lovatt is the founder of the Flock Health Club concept, which helps veterinary surgeons to engage with farmers about preventative measures and responsible medicine use. She also established the Farm Vet Champions scheme at RCVS Knowledge to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

As well as representing the sheep industry as a member of the RUMA Target Task Force, Dr Lovatt is a clinical associate professor at the University of Nottingham and a former president of the Sheep Veterinary Society.

The George Hedley Memorial Award has been awarded annually since 1960. Dr Lovatt will be formally presented with the award at the NSA Sheep Event dinner on 29 July, 2024.

NSA South East Region chair Yann Le Du, who nominated Dr Lovatt for the award, said: “The Flock Health Club concept has revolutionised sheep farmer and vet engagement. For this reason, amongst many others, Fiona is held in high esteem in the sheep industry and is fully justified in being awarded with this prestigious title.”

Dr Lovatt said: “I was completely overwhelmed to hear that I had been nominated for this award – it will be a huge honour to receive it.”

Image © National Sheep Association

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.